1969 Camaro Front Clip Install - The Bionic Camaro, Part I

We can rebuild it. We have the technology. This Camaro will be better than it was before; stronger, faster...

In the 1970s there was a show on TV called the "Six Million Dollar Man." As the story goes, some poor astronaut crashed his ship upon reentry to earth and was "barely alive." The doctors took the near corpse of a man, used the latest technology, and rebuilt him into a superior human being. Millions of kids across America sat glued to the tube as they watched the bionic man fight the good fight with his superhuman powers. And the next day on the playground they would all pretend to have bionic strength.

Today it seems not much has changed. Sure we are all grown up (supposedly) and no longer play fight or make goofy bionic sound effects, but that imaginative seven-year-old is still alive in all of us.

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There are a number of steps prior to the removal of the OEM clip. Remove the transmission, steering linkage, radiator and engine. The front factory brake lines will have to be reworked to fit this new clip. The rear hard lines doesn't need any alterations. You won't be able to use the OEM steering column with the new TCI front clip. TCI recommends an ididit column with two new steering U-joints, and a new shaft. Once these are removed support the vehicle on a set of sturdy jackstands. These jackstands must be positioned just below the firewall on the flat side. Remove the four anchor points on the OEM clip and roll it out of the way. There's no turning back now-we're committed.

Take musclecars for example. If you don't own one, you probably want to, or you wouldn't read this magazine. And those who do own a killer machine, such as a first generation Camaro, dreamt of turning it into a high-performance streetcar, better than the average Camaro. A bionic Camaro, if you will. Who doesn't want to drive their car like Steve McQueen, grabbing gear after gear while banging hard to the left, and to the right, all the while pegging the tachometer?

Gentleman, we have the Camaro, the technology, and TCI (Total Cost Involved); we can re-build it better than it was before, stronger and faster. Stop daydreaming about it and build a bionic Camaro, one that can carve up a road.

But why build a bionic Camaro? What are the advantages? Performance, performance, performance-that's the reason! Simply put, the Camaro is a performance vehicle. It was born that way. The all-tubular front clip from TCI seen here has an outstanding advantage over the weighty OEM steel clip. That advantage is a scale tipping 120-lbs in weight savings. For any performance enthusiast or racer, front end weight loss is always an issue and less is definitely more. Achieving that perfect 50/50 balance is never easy. Another advantage is a double rail mandrel bent design that provides added strength over stock, and is fitted with coilover shocks.

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1969 Camaro Front Clip Install - The Bionic Camaro, Part I

There are a number of steps prior to the removal of the OEM clip. Remove the transmission, steering linkage, radiator and engine. The front factory brake lines will have to be reworked to fit this new clip. The rear hard lines doesn't need any alterations. You won't be able to use the OEM steering column with the new TCI front clip. TCI recommends an ididit column with two new steering U-joints, and a new shaft. Once these are removed support the vehicle on a set of sturdy jackstands. These jackstands must be positioned just below the firewall on the flat side. Remove the four anchor points on the OEM clip and roll it out of the way. There's no turning back now-we're committed.

Before we proceed, we just have to show you the complete kit inventoried and laid out for visual inspection. There are a number of standard components in this kit. There are also a number of optional upgrades, such as polished A-arms, chromed spindles, a chromed sway bar, polished brake calipers, etc. Ask TCI about the upgrade options.

After the removal of the OEM clip and right before the test fitting of the new TCI clip, a slight modification to the firewall is required. Remove the edge flange on the access holes on the firewall. These need to be smoothed out before the TCI clip can be flush mounted.

This will be the only time any action like this will be necessary. No other cutting or grinding is required.

Now its time to test fit this new clip in all its bare metal glory. It's recommended that you don't paint or powdercoat the clip prior to its test fitting. Camaros can be like Cabbage Patch dolls, they may all look similar, but there can be subtle differences from one to the next. If adjustments need to be made, it's better to make them before painting the clip.

The TCI clip is also designed to install without the factory rubber body bushings. The frame bolts directly to the body, only the original core support bushings will be reused.

After the clip is attached, drilled, and bolted to the four major mounting points, the firewall is next. This is why we have to remove the flange along the edge. A 3/8th's hole is drilled through the firewall, and fastened with the supplied bolts found in the kit.

Now all bolts and freshly drilled holes can be tightened, and checked for the best possible fit. After inspection, if everything lines up, pull it all out again. It's now time to make a trip to the powdercoater.

A few days later, the clip is back from the powdercoater.

Since we know it fits the body it's now time to bolt it back on, and finish the rest of the suspension install.

We included a few shots from different angles to show how it all looks.

Next on the install list is the lower A-arms. These particular arms are the optional polished ones we spoke of earlier.

Next we installed the rack-and-pinion and tie rod-ends into position. Make sure the rack is centered prior to assembly.

If you have any difficulties during the install, glance at the install instructions it will help keep things moving. As far as instructions sheets go, the notes provided in the kit are very concise, graphic, and easy to follow.

The sway bar should be installed next. All the bushings and bolts required for the install are in this kit.

This particular sway bar is an optional chromed unit.

Now the upper A-arms are installed. According to the instructions when the upper arms are installed, three flat washers should be used on each bolt between the arm and the clip.

This will be enough to get the vehicle to an alignment shop. Caster, camber, and toe-in numbers all come in the instructions from TCI.

Next install the supplied coilover shocks.

Fender panels are also provided with this clip.

Since the stock inner fender does not have the pre-drilled holes, seven 3/16th holes will need to be drilled to fit it in place.

Now come the big, beautiful, shiny Wilwood brakes, and polished calipers. These, too, are part of the optional upgrades for this front clip.

The multiple-position transmission crossmember can be installed next. Of course when the tranny is put back into place you may need to readjust its position depending on what transmission is used.

Here is a road kill view of how everything should look when completely assembled. It sure is purty. Afterwards it is time to pat yourself on the back, "pop a top," and relax for a few hours. Now the engine, radiator, steering shaft, column, brake lines and wheels all need to go back on. Before you do this, maybe you can charge your neighbors admission to come look at the latest and greatest part of your Camaro. Stay tuned for the action packed sequel to this story in our next issue. In the next installment, we will install the rear clip, take the car out to the track, and have hard numbers as well as a seat of the pants report.